Clint Boon, the driving force behind Manchester band Inspiral Carpets, has revealed that Noel Gallagher, before Oasis formed, auditioned to be his band's new frontman in 1988 and later pretended to be him in interviews. The 67-year-old frontman and DJ, who recently released his autobiographical book Manchester Chronicles, shared stories about knowing Noel and Liam Gallagher before Oasis existed.
Noel's Audition and Early Days
Boon recalled that Noel, whom he fondly calls the "boy from Burnage," was a huge fan of Inspiral Carpets. "We hadn't made any records at this point. But Noel started coming to our gigs. We got to know him. He was the first person after Steve [Holt] left to say, 'I'd like to audition to be your singer,'" Boon said.
"So, we auditioned him in December '88. But we didn't think his voice suited what we wanted. We needed somebody with a big voice, as we saw it. But we took him on as our roadie, PA, and general helper for the next four years."
Pranks and Interviews
Boon described Noel as a great grafter with a brilliant sense of humour, loyal to the band and a great part of the team. He recounted instances where Noel would jump on promotional chats for the band, even pretending to be Boon in interviews.
"Sometimes he'd be in our office in Manchester doing Japanese interviews, pretending to be me while I was in bed at home. There's a famous interview Noel did with a fanzine writer. We just couldn't be a**ed on the day. So we just went off to some pub and Noel ended up doing this interview with this young woman. And that was the first ever Noel Gallagher interview in the world," Boon said.
On one occasion, Countryfile's John Craven, whose daughter Vicky was a big fan, came into the group's dressing room, and Noel offered him a spliff. "He'd just lit it up. And as John walked in, Noel looked at him and said, 'Ah, Mr. Craven, would you like a suck on this?' As I recall, John gallantly declined. But moments like that are never too far away when you're in a band," Boon added.
Liam Gallagher and Oasis's Name
Boon also got to know Liam Gallagher, noting that initially he was the opposite of the mouthy rock 'n' roll legend now known. "The first couple of years I knew Liam, he was quite unassuming. Really good-looking, but quiet compared to Noel," he said. "When they signed to Creation, he started morphing into this amazing frontman. You do want your frontmen to be a bit Messiah-like. He's still that. But you can tell he's still a soft soul, as well."
Boon admitted he thought the band name Oasis was rubbish. "When Noel told me they called the band Oasis, I said, 'That's a shit name, Noel.' I remember saying, 'You're getting nowhere with the name.'" Of course, Oasis would shoot to global fame and have now sold out their second reunion tour, though Boon is not surprised. "I said for years they'd get back together as long as their mum Peggy was alive. But I was as excited as the rest of the world to see it unfold."
Friendship with Andy Burnham and Losing Mani
Boon also counts Prime Minister Andy Burnham as a friend, first meeting him when he interviewed him on the airwaves as a local MP. "I've known him for quite a few years. Obviously, he's an Inspiral Carpets fan!" he said. "We had a nice moment in Manchester a few years ago. After our gig, he came backstage, stood on the coffee table and gave a speech. It just came out, this amazing speech. It's one of his superpowers."
Boon also spoke movingly about losing his good friend, Stone Roses and Primal Scream guitarist Mani, last November. "Losing Mani was a big blow. We all knew that he'd had health issues for years with emphysema. But he was such a big spirit, you could never imagine the world without him," he said. "But he's left not just his body of music, but his presence. Right to the end of my time, I'll remember him and feel him and hear him laughing. He had this really dirty laugh. I can still hear that. He's just an absolute star. I'm so glad that I knew him."
Boon, whose band has a new album out in January, said he might cut down on DJing but will keep writing music and performing. "Some people get to my age and think they're too old to be doing this. Bull**t. Being around music keeps you young."
